This upper photo shows the round spots and narrow separation Mike is talking about on the Pro Form cover. The lower photo is one I just took of a TA cover I have in stock. Larry
Wow, yeah, now that I look at the two pictures of the two covers, that is a VERY obvious, and very important key difference between them. And that's not even the most important difference, what with the higher quality casting and superior machining tolerances for the oil pump!
Any chance you can post a pic of the top of the cover looking straight down on it? The more I've looked at mine and the closer I got I can see that mine is the very light silver/grey color like the TA cover especially noticeable by the timing marks which I did not get a pic of to go with the others I posted.
Your all welcome to stop in and visit. I'm sure there are some here that have been to TA when we were machining timing covers. There is a picture of the timing covers in the machine going through 1st 2nd 3rd & 4th operations on page 183 of the TA catalog. Timing mark looks a little different because on the balancer side there were risers cast in place to allow the aluminum to flow to the top where all the letters are. Remember the cover is cast laying down. They are cut back during clean up at the foundry but we need to machine the risers base off which is why the back side has been cut. Sandblast makes the casting dull, shot blast will make them more shinny like the ours. TA covers, which I do believe are made from a much better material. A356 T6, which is virgin ingot bars that have never been made into anything before. T6 is the heat treat rating. This material and process is very strong and stable, it does cost more unfortunately. Our V6/350 timing covers were cast over seas, not sure where. We were contracted to machine these for a customer years back. When we finished tooling and the 100 parts they sent us the owner said he did not want them. We had to change somethings as to how they were machined which other shops he went to were unable to figure out. His other bad experiences led him to the decision to walk away. The good thing was he agreed to sell me all the castings he had at his cost. What makes this cover better than all others is the way we machine them. The foundry that cast these for us is a foundry that once cast ALL Edelbrock's casting before Edelbrock built there own foundry. Reason I believe as a Buick guy myself that most folks use the TA covers is, they work for one and if you have questions there is someone to call. Proform do not make the oil pressure that the TA's do, trouble assembling the pump because of machining, so I'm told. Then I do believe there is a appreciation factor for all the parts we try and supply. I for one really do appreciate everyones business, and I really try to do my very best in giving my time to you when you call or stop by.
I genuinely think my engine may be a good barometer for the question as to the TA cover raising pressure. Some of you know that my bearing clearances are on the high side, and that has resulted in my oil pressures being at basically the recommended minimum. The current cover on the engine is an NOS piece that I modified and setup myself. Now I'm no expert by any means, but I can follow detailed instructions on modification and setup, of which there are many available. So I'm going to throw the TA cover on as delivered, and we'll see what it does. I'm really holding out hope this gives me the additional pressure so I can quit watching my oil pressure gauge like a hawk! I'll report back when I get some definitive data.
What happens when the 100 covers are all sold? Does that mean the v6/350 cover won't be available from TA anymore?
I was trying to avoid doing that but I guess that's the only way to be 100% positive. This thread went from asking how to identify a cover to a full blown debate and conspiracy theories ha ha!!
"What happens when the 100 covers are all sold? Does that mean the v6/350 cover won't be available from TA anymore?" *I purchase 3000 castings. "Any chance you can post a pic of the top of the cover looking straight down on it? The more I've looked at mine and the closer I got I can see that mine is the very light silver/grey color like the TA cover especially noticeable by the timing marks which I did not get a pic of to go with the others I posted." *The timing marks on the TA cover are raised, the timing marks on the proform are recessed.
Thanks Mike, the timing mark difference should be enough for all the folks to tell which cover they have. Larry
Not trying to stir things up, I have what turns out to be a Proform cover on my engine now for 7 years. The engine has .0025 mains and rods and carries 22 lbs at idle even after driving 140 miles highway. The cooling system works great, highest it gets is like 185 in the hottest summer day idling in traffic for an hour (with a 180 high flow thwrmostat). I buy lots of stuff from TA and when I need a timing cover I will definitely look at them. The quality control on the TA cover is no doubt top notch. They are invested in keeping these engines going and this is very important.
Yes thank you for the info Mike that makes it a lot easier to help identify them. With that new info I went and checked my cover and the timing marks on it are receessed so that makes it a Proform. I wish it was a TA but on the plus side it's been on the motor 3+ years with no issues so I must have got one of the "good" ones from Proform!
I met Mike, Sherry, and Tim a couple weeks ago while out in AZ. Very nice facility. Enjoyed seeing and chatting with Mike. Nice to put a voice & name to a face. If I would have known you guys were questioning timing cover qualities, I'm sure Mike would have shown his machining process to me if I asked to see it. Nothing substandard about his operation, top notch in my opinion. It was late on a Friday when I showed up. I talked with Mike and he even invited me to come back to shoot the breeze on Saturday, which I should have taken him up on. Next time out I will Mike. I have NO DOUBT that TA is providing us with over and above quality made components. There you go.........
I originally started this post to find out how to differentiate between the two covers so I can see what I had. Then other members snowballed it into a "what if" conspiracy theory debate. I myself believe that the TA parts are genuine and not offshore knock offs. Thank you Mike for coming in to clarify everything for everyone!
Somewhere in this thread needs to be a quote from Tom Callahan about ‘I’d rather take the butcher’s word for it’...thanks, Mike, for being that trustworthy butcher. Patrick
I would not buy a pro form when I can buy TA performance. That’s crazy. When that was a weak link from Buick engineering. I would never chance it on a rebuilt motor
